Team brings CAC Wirraway aircraft to the shore after 70 years

AFTER resting at the bottom of Lake Corangamite for more than 70 years, there were cheers all round as volunteers lifted a plane wreck from its resting place over the weekend.

By Support Team

Exciting times: After more than 12 years of planning a CAC Wirraway body was removed from Lake Corangamite over the weekend. Photo supplied by Jonn Stewart

AFTER resting at the bottom of Lake Corangamite for more than 70 years, there were cheers all round as volunteers lifted a plane wreck from its resting place over the weekend.

Professional salvage diver Rod Knights said a small number of volunteers, all with essential work permits, helped retrieve the CAC Wirraway aircraft.

He said the wings would be retrieved separately in March next year due to permit conditions only allowing access to the site between March and August.

After navigating a long and laborious process to secure appropriate permits from about 12 different organisations, including the Corangamite Shire, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority,

Parks Victoria and Heritage Victoria, the salvage project was finally able to take place.

Mr Knights said the equipment needed to retrieve the plane was built and assembled on site.

He said the body was finally lifted from the water on Saturday using a gantry system and was then placed on a barge and towed to shore.

“There were cheers and high-fives all round,” Mr Knights said.

“It’s been a long journey, everyone was pretty excited.”

The relic now sits in a desalination bath to try and reverse theeffects of the salt water and prevent further deterioration.

Mr Knights expects the rebuild process could take another 20 years to complete.

“Overall we’re very excited and we’re looking forward to putting it all back together,” he said.

“I’ve been collecting parts I know will need replacing over the years.”

Mr Knights thanked his supporters for their help in seeing the project proceed.

“It’s been a team effort,” he said.

“It’s been fantastic to be on the journey with them.

“I’ve had amazing support from family and friends.”

Located on the western edge of the lake, the plane had rested in muddy sludge undisturbed since its pilot Vance Drummond ditched into the lake in October 1950.

Lake Corangamite being a prime training ground for wartime pilots, Drummond was flying low, attempting to align the plane’s bomb aiming equipment with the compass when its propeller hit the water, preventing the plane from being able to climb again.

Although locals had long been aware of the Wirraway’s existence, the aircraft was believed to have been officially rediscovered in 2005 by Gordon Wilson, a Colac based crop dusting pilot after the lake level receded following several years of drought.